The Splash Zone is pretty much in the same area as the Kelp Forest. When you walk through the main Splash Zone entrance, you see the Kelp Forest and the touch pool to the left and the front.
To the right is a much more interactive and family friendly zone.
The exhibit features most of the colorful fish and sea life in colorful tanks. I found a tank that was placed super low that got my attention.
This was well positioned for little kids, but I guess it was the inner kid in me that got me curious. There were no real fish! It was a cute little display tank with fake fish.
Ok, to some real fish! We found Nemo and Dori. These aquariums reminded me of what a beautiful aquarium that some people may have at home with lots of colorful fish and plastic coral. Though I’m sure these things are real.
It was also interesting to see that the gift shops at the Aquarium sold a lot of Nemo and Dori toys and stuffed animals etc.
And then there are some not as popular and pretty fish and sea life. Like the giraffe patterned eel. I was amazed and quite excited to think that I saw a giraffe in the water. Haha~
We made our way to the Splash Zone specifically for the Penguin Feeding. They have 2 shows daily; at 10:30am and 3pm.
By the time we arrived at the African Penguin exhibit, it was packed with people. The benches were full, the open flooring area in front was full and we had parents (mainly Dad’s) holding their kids up on their shoulders to see.
We managed to squeeze in a corner and snagged a few spots to stand (and not cover anyone).
When the feeding started, an aquarium staff member came out with a microphone telling everyone fun facts about Penguins.
The actually feeding of course happens behind the big glass with other staff members. He had to make his way over this little cave are to feed the penguins that are staying inside of the caves. If I can remember correctly, they were in the cave because they are nesting.
As for the rest of the penguin, they feeding staff throws the frozen fish out to them. And I think this was what made the feeding time more fun.
We got to really see the penguin “fly” in the water as they dove in to catch their fish. That made for a picture perfect moment and for kids a really good close up on the penguin at their height level.
And with the penguin diving into the water and fish being thrown into the water, the glass was fully of splatters.
Did you notice that these guys are not a snowy environment like what we would usually imagine as a penguin habitat?
That is because these African Penguins are actually from the cold currents of South Africa (not antarctica). I find it interesting that these South African penguin can survive in the cold water and out in the warmer weather.
To the far left of the African Penguin exhibit is something that can give you a closer look at the penguins. There were quite a few people who are just hanging around waiting for their turn to make in inside what I call the bubble.
I managed to get a picture of Mom and Yuntiha inside the bubble and part of their view of the penguins. I took pictures of the inside the bubble from far away like the picture on the left, but too bad that glare was in their faces.
Green After the Rain 
I think there are penguins in warm environment at San Diego zoo. Are those African penguin too?
Yes, the penguins at the San Diego zoo are the same type of penguin. I’m excited to see the new exhibit that is being built for them at the San Diego Zoo.